Sorority holds candle-lit service honoring UF alumna

Though she only spoke to Roselle Derequito a few times, Jonessa Cortes, 22, wept when she talked about the little memories they shared.

“Even though I could count those memories on my hand, they meant so much to me,” said Cortes, who graduated from UF in August 2016.

Members of UF’s chapter of the alpha Kappa Delta Phi sorority held a vigil Friday night to honor the life of their sister Derequito, a UF alumna and Red Cross volunteer who died Jan. 4 after battling neurological problems for about two years. About 50 people attended the vigil on Turlington Plaza to hear stories from those who knew Derequito.

LED candles placed on a table formed the number 41, the number embroidered on Derequito’s sorority jacket. The crowd had a moment of silence and signed cards for Derequito’s family.

Eleyn Fangonilo, president of aKDPhi, talked about how Derequito was her “ate,” a Tagalog word meaning big sister. Fangonilo, a 21-year-old UF applied physiology and kinesiology senior, said she met her figurative sister during her freshman year through the Filipino Student Association.

“I hope (the vigil is) cathartic, and I hope we can just take time to honor her,” Fangonilo said.

Havi Tran, who organized the vigil, said she wanted to provide a space for those impacted by Derequito to grieve, even if some people never met her.

“Even though people didn’t have a personal tie to her, she is someone who made an impact on this community being an influence in other people’s lives,” the 21-year-old said.

Candice Luc, a 20-year-old UF civil engineering junior, said knowing Derequito was an aKDPhi sister connected her to the UF alumna.

“I’m here to support my sister and to celebrate her life, even if I didn’t know her, even if I didn’t have special memories with her,” Luc said. “We’re bonded because we’re all sisters.”

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Kim Le, an 18-year-old biology freshman, signs a condolences card at the vigil for UF alumna Roselle Derequito on Turlington Plaza on Friday evening. About 50 students showed up to the vigil to honor the life of Derequito, which included the sharing of personal stories and a moment of silence.